Netsuke, toggle of ivory

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This ivory netsuke is carved into Kiyohime, a dragon witch, wrapped round a temple bell. A netsuke is used to fasten an inro, a small lacquered container, which hung from the sash of a man's kimono. They became miniature art forms in their own right.

This netsuke is of Kiyohime. She turned into a dragon witch and wrapped herself around the temple bell where a priest was hiding for whom she had unrequited love. The cord was passed through the hollow bell and out of a himetoshi at the back.

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• Online ID: 000-100-104-648-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  A.1946.205
• Date: 19th century
  
• Material: Ivory
  Netsuke
  
• Dimensions: 2.25" H
  
• What: Netsuke
  
• Subject: Netsuke / ivory
  
• Who: Kiyohime
  
• Where: Japan
  
• Event:
• Description: Netsuke of carved ivory, the dragon witch Kiyohime on the temple bell: Japan, 19th century
  
• References:
• Translations:
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